Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today described composite culture and inclusiveness as built-in features of the state’s ethos and called for integrating its rich diversity and heritage into the tourism industry. “The composite culture and inclusiveness is intrinsic and built-in features of Jammu and Kashmir’s ethos. There is a need for integrating the state’s rich diversity and heritage treasure into it’s tourism industry,” Sayeed said here, after commissioning the renovated and upgraded Tagore Hall, built in 1961 in memory of Rabindranath Tagore, the great poet philosopher and Nobel Laureate. He also announced setting up of a School of Sufiyana and Folk Music that would lead to a cultural revival by offering certificate courses in various performing arts. …

Blaming the present Jammu and Kashmir government for “promoting wedge” between various regions and religions, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah today appealed for unity and tolerance while “disapproving” acts which hurts religious sentiments of others. Farooq also condemned the paint smearing attack on the activist and columnist Sudheendra Kulkarni in Mumbai during a book release function, and said that such attempts are against the spirit of freedom of speech for which India is known world over. “Great religion of Islam vehemently disapproves of hurting the religious sentiments of others,” Abdullah said, while addressing party functionaries at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning, and added that the provocative acts could jeopradise peace across the country and in the state. Abdullah blamed the …

The Home Ministry on Monday sought a report from the Jammu and Kashmir government on the state High Court’s order that Article 370, which grants special status to the state, is beyond amendment, repeal or abrogation. In a communication, the Home Ministry sought a copy of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court order from the state government as early as possible, explaining the grounds in which the order was issued, official sources said. The state law department is expected to forward the copy of the High Court ruling to the central government. Jammu and Kashmir High Court has ruled that Article 370, has assumed place of permanence in the Constitution and the feature is beyond amendment, repeal or abrogation. The …

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the government would conduct the elections to the local bodies on time and assured that such institutions would be empowered to take the state on the path of development. “I want to assure that we will conduct civic elections, polls of municipalities and panchayats as well. Then we will give powers to them. We will conduct these polls on time and then there will be devolution of powers,” Sayeed said here. The chief minister was speaking on a discussion on Panchayati Raj institutions in Legislative Council. He said the government would not postpone any elections and preparations for the polls were going on. “I want to assure the House that …

Jammu and Kashmir High Court has ruled that Article 370, granting special status to the state, has assumed place of permanence in the Constitution and the feature is beyond amendment, repeal or abrogation. The Court also said that Article 35A gives “protection” to existing laws in force in the State. “Article 370 though titled as ‘Temporary Provision’ and included in Para XXI titled ‘Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions’ has assumed place of permanence in the Constitution,” a division bench of justices Hasnain Masoodi and Janak Raj Kotwal ruled in a 60-page judgement. “It is beyond amendment, repeal or abrogation, in as much as Constituent Assembly of the State before its dissolution did not recommend its Amendment or repeal,” the bench …

MLA Jammu West Sat Sharma (CA) raised the question of Chamel Singh in the Zero Hour of todays Assembly Session. Sharma raised the issue regarding the compensation to the family of the deceased. It is pertinent to mention that Chamel Singh was killed in Kot Lakhpat jail in Pakistan by the Jail authorities same as the case of Sarabjeet Singh of Punjab where Punjab State paid Rs. 1 crore and Central Govt. paid Rs. 25 Lakhs to the family of Late Sarabjeet Singh but the then Omar Abdullah led Government failed to compensate the family of Chamel Singh despite of countless representations made by the family. The issue regarding this has been raised timely by Sat Sharma (CA). All MLAs …

Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday said there is no proposal to exempt the helicopter service from Katra to Vaishno Devi shrine, from the service tax imposed on commercial chopper services in the state. “At the moment there is no proposal for exemption with the government,” Finance Minister Haseeb A Drabu said in a written reply to a question in the state Assembly. National Conference MLA from Nagrota Devender Rana had asked if the state government intended to exempt the helicopter services to the revered shrines in Reasi district of the state from the 12.5% service tax imposed on commercial helicopter services. Although the question could not be taken up during Question Hour, Rana raised the issue in the Zero …

Jammu and Kashmir High Court today sought the government’s view on banning liquor in the state as pleaded in a public interest litigation (PIL). Admitting the PIL filed by a religious organisation Karwan-e-Islami, a division bench headed by Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar asked the state government to file its response by October 6. The court also directed the government to spell out the steps taken by it for closure of liquor shops along the highways and near hospitals, educational institutes and religious places. Karwan-e-Islami on Wednesday last submitted the PIL seeking a ban on sale and consumption of liquor in the state like in some other states of the country. The organisation, through its chairman Sheikh Ghulam Rasool Hami, …

A local court today directed the Crime Branch, Jammu to investigate alleged fake degrees of wife of BJP MLA Gagan Bhagat, who claims to be a professional doctor and also running a private hospital. A complaint was lodged by one Neelam Kumari, Member of Board of Directors, J&K Women Credit Cooperative in which she had alleged that Dr Monika Sharma, wife of BJP MLA Gagan Bhagat from RS Pura Constituency, is holding fake degree of BAMS and also running a full-fledged private hospital in RS Pura, Court sources here said. Sources as per the complainant said, “The lady with the help of some other persons have got the forged degree and marks card of BAMS from Baba Sahib Bhim Rao …

Army today agreed to vacate some land near the airport and the University in Jammu while several joint committees have been formed to address other issues regarding transfer of land held by Army to the civil administration at various places in the State. The Army was also requested to secure areas having landmines, in particular those which are adjacent to the farm or fields of the local inhabitants, along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region, an official spokesman. The decisions were taken at a Civil-Military Liaison (CML) meet chaired by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and attended by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, top Army commanders, Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Director General of …